The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-08-10


"Now, boys, for BATH We all need it,
and won't be any the verse for it. unless
Yankees bullet perforates the skin and let's
the water run In TO drown u.s."
With but little hesitat on, for there was
no delay in making the choice between
ducking and captivity, We plunged spurs
into our horses and forced them to leap
into the water-their heads held quartering
up stream toward the other bank Of the
river.
While we were thus engaged the troops
at the ford dashed across, and, to our fur
Their anxiety, seemed bent upon cutting
us OFF on our approach to the higher ground
TO the west.
We notice, however. that not more than
thirty-fiv of the enemy continue in the
rear; and are encouraged to hope that we
may distance some of these, thereby hav-
ing more equal show in the rapidly APP
preaching struggle.
Here comes the enemy, approaching us
diagonally and rapidly. With pistol in
hand, we ply the spur to our steeds. already
beginning TO feel the strain upon their re-
sources-but fire is withheld until we are
at closer quarters, in the hope that we may
still further decrease the number of our
enemy, seemingly so entered upon inter-
cepting our flight.
OuT Dhtub III tue race nave Deen COLI
vergent till now, a slight detour bends one
from its course until they become almost
parallel and at about fifty yards apart.
Thus we dash along, "toppinR" in the most
approved style the logs and other impedi-
ments which would have been avoided I'M
der ordinary circumstances.
The race grows fast and furious, each
party riding to the best advantage. Thus
far the speed developed has been so nearly
equal as to afford no material advantage in
position to either party for the last five
minutes.
Every rider watches to the front, striv-
ing to lift his horse at the leaps, and
at the same time keeps a sharp
eye on the movements of the enemy, that
no one may bend too much out of his
course to get shot into our ranks from a
shorter distance. One thousand yards in
our front are the hills, to reach which
insures our safety. For they are heavily
clad with underbrush, vines, etc.. which
will furnish us with a cover into which no
enemy has yet penetrated. The question
remaining unanswered is: Will our horses
stand this pace for thousand yards?
THE boys" are ordered to close up, and
TO be ready for last desperate rush. If
We can but hold our own" for two hun
dred yards, We will pass in front of our
broken in their immediate front. II they
are unacquainted with this fact, and do not
swerve from their course, they will be
compelled to check their speed, and have
the supreme modification to see the quarry
forge ahead, and escape the tolls, under
cover of the friendly bushes, now but a
short quarter in advance.
All the enemy seems inclined to in
crease the pace, and to close the issue!
Boys, look at that fellow pushing
ahead. His horse has got the heels of
ours, and the rider seems determined to
close"
well, if he must have it, let him stop
load of buckshot!" LET but one man fire."
"See how the fellow rides" Let him
come close enough to make a sure shot,"
Il would like TO catch his horse, if it is not
badly wounded"
There, Spencer, he is almost close
enough to let him pass that tree-top, then
give him -"
But the gallant fellow did not pass that
tree-top" with his horse; for the beast
pulled for one side of tree, and his rider
pulled the rein TO pass on the opposite
side! And, "losing his head" the rider
parted company with his horse, fearing
that he would be dashed against the tree,
and preparing TO fall upon the ground!
gained his feet, and. hiding behind tree,
exclaimed: Gosh ding! Hemiries, please
catch my mare"
A roar of laughter greeted the luckless
rider, and-the race was ended.
We had been running from one of those
imported scouting parties" for the last
three miles, each party believing firmly
that the whole Sixth Kentucky Cavalry had
been detailed specially to run it to earth.
and that the Southern Confederacy would
certainly collapse il deprived of its valuable
services
Poor Randall, who would have out
stripped us in the race but for dissolvng
partnership with his mare Ia grand daugh-
ter of Bonnie ScotlandD, has gone the long
road, which we trust he has found paved
with gold and Swallowed by the wild rose.
May he rest in peace.
From parties residing near the scene of
our encounter with the Federals we learned
that pursuit was kept up but short dis
lance.
And we learned from the foreigners"
that we had crossed Big Harpeth and gone
down through the field 10 near John Arm
strongs, when we heard firing and thought
it best to travel When we got almost to
the ford we heard the enemy on our left
flank, and strained every nerve TO beat him
out"
But you can not we'll imagine our con-
sternation on discovering that the enemy
had passed to our rear-as we thought then
had divided his force, attempting TO cut
us OFF with one party and drive us to de-
structon with anotherl"
When this little incident was made known
at headquarters we were twitted no little;
nor did we hear the last, for many long
day, of our attempt to jump across Big
Harpeth
But the effect was wholesome in its re-
suits, as orders were issued prohibiting the
formation of scouting parties except under
the guidance of an officer detailed for this
duty.
Nantes Cablegram.